10-R158

2010 -- H 7976

Enacted 04/06/10

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY TOURISM COUNCIL

ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

Introduced By: Representatives E Coderre, JP O`Neill, Kilmartin, Shallcross Smith, and San Bento

Date Introduced: April 06, 2010

     WHEREAS, On April 8, 2010, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will celebrate the

25th Anniversary of its founding; and

     WHEREAS, The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is a non-profit corporation

registered as a 501(c)(3) educational organization and was authorized under Section 42-63.1-5 of

the Rhode Island General Laws as the State-designated regional tourism development agency for

the Blackstone Valley of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, A twenty-one member Board of Directors with a full-time professional staff

manages the Council. The Council’s development region follows the length and width of the

Blackstone River Watershed, from the many tributaries in southern Massachusetts to the river’s

termination at the headwaters of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. The Council represents

the cities of Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Woonsocket, and the towns of Cumberland, Lincoln,

North Smithfield, Smithfield, Glocester, and Burrillville; and

     WHEREAS, Since 1985, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has been at the

forefront of sustainable destination development, community building, resiliency, education, and

scholarly research. The Council was the first destination in the world to receive the United

Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Ulysses Prize that merits distinction for

innovative contributions to tourism policy, tourism sustainable planning, environment protection,

and new technologies. In 2006, the Council, achieved the UNWTO.Sbest Certification in tourism

governance, the only organization in the United States to earn this certification; and

     WHEREAS, The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in 2008 recognized the

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council with its Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Award, one of

the most prestigious sustainable tourism development awards in the world. The WTTC noted the

Council’s integrated, community-centered, resilient approach to tourism development and

community building; and

     WHEREAS, The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council works to bridge gaps between the

economy, the environment, and the people that live in the Blackstone River Valley. This

“multiple-bottom line” approach is the definition of sustainable community development. The

Council’s concept of tourism is about creating a unique sense of place through social, economic,

and physical development for Valley residents, and, in turn, creating a destination for visitors;

and

     WHEREAS, The Blackstone Valley does not have exotic beaches, renowned rainforests,

or dense metropolises. What the Valley does have is a story: a story of colonization, religious

freedom, industrialization, immigration, pollution, poverty, urban decay, and of rebirth and

sustainable redevelopment. This story is not stagnant; it is a living and evolving entity that is

made up of the natural, built, and cultural environment of the Valley; and

     WHEREAS, The work that the Tourism Council accomplishes could not be completed

without the breadth and strength of the partnerships that have been developed. These include

strong relationships with local social and community development organizations, municipalities,

regional and state economic development organizations, educational institutions, as well as

national and international entities. The Council has the ability to unite with any of these partners

depending on the task and specialization that is needed; and

     WHEREAS, Since its beginning, the Tourism Council has worked to develop, promote,

and expand the economic and community development base for cities and towns in Rhode

Island’s Blackstone River Valley to create a viable visitor and cultural destination, while

continually working to improve the region’s quality of life, environment, and recreational uses,

and preserving the region’s historic heritage; and

     WHEREAS, The Council works closely with public and private partnerships, works as an

interpreter and educator of the history and ecology of the Blackstone River, initiates ongoing

international relationships of major importance to the region, works closely on community

development projects with cities and towns, provides input on future riverfront and economic

development, and develops various recreational activities; and

     WHEREAS, The Council operates on the philosophy that sustained economic

development in the region must rely on sustained historical preservation and environmental

protection. To that end, the Council has promoted the region to residents and visitors through

Geo-tourism-principled development of the region’s rich farm to factory heritage, cultural

diversity, and eco-tourism; and

     WHEREAS, The Blackstone River Valley has significant importance to the United States

and Rhode Island in that the region is the actual birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution,

which began in 1790 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, when Samuel Slater launched textile

manufacturing in a wooden mill on the banks of the Blackstone River; and

     WHEREAS, Through its visionary mission, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

operates on the philosophy of taking a positive leadership role in initiating many exciting,

challenging, innovative, and inventive tourism development products, projects, and programs;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby extends its sincere congratulations and wishes for continued

success to the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in marking its 25th anniversary; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

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LC02172

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